Webster Bests Eureka in SLIAC Showdown, 83-61

EUREKA – The Eureka women's basketball team held its own against a physical Webster squad early on Wednesday evening.

Then, the Gorloks got on a roll in the second quarter and maintained a steady lead on their way to an 83-61 win at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena and Convocation Center.

Playing shorthanded due to injury, the Red Devils showed resilience in the first quarter. After going down 10-2, Eureka scored seven unanswered to force a Webster timeout and make it a one-point game.

The Red Devils scored the last five points of the first frame, too. Sydney Hannam (Canton, Ill./Canton/Spoon River) drew a foul and made a pair of free throws, and Abby Stotler (Wyoming, Ill./Stark County/MacMurray) sank a last-second 3-pointer to make it 22-19 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Gorloks responded to the push by shooting 8-for-16 from the field, forcing 10 turnovers and outscoring Eureka 23-7 in the second quarter to take a commanding lead.

Eureka only scored three fewer points in the second quarter, but the damage of the explosive second was done and led the lead swelling to as many as 28.

Hannam finished with a team-high 22 points while going 11-for-13 from the field to extend her streak of scoring 20 or more to eight games. Shakya Rogers (Hanover, Mich./Concord/Glen Oaks) and Stotler each added 14 points and were the team's leading rebounders with six and five boards, respectively.

Madi Jernigan (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone/Blackburn) contributed seven points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists. Jurnee Flournoy (Decatur, Ill./Decatur MacArthur) distributed a team-high four assists.

Webster's Bethany Lancaster posted a game-high 25 points while shooting 11-for-12 from the field and grabbing a team-high six rebounds. Julie Baudendistel followed with 16 points, and Kate Rolfes and Emily Willson each chipped in with 11.

Eureka (5-11, 2-3) will next head to Fontbonne (7-9, 2-3 SLIAC) on Saturday for a road SLIAC challenge at 1 p.m.